These are by far my least favourite things to write.
I’m no good at reflections, at thank yous, at wrap-ups.
I hate writing goodbyes, see you soon, thanks for coming.
But alas, here I am, trying to figure out how to sum up six months worth of hard work, all because of an idea I had, what now feels like a lifetime ago, that I said out loud.
I first thought of the idea of making a zine when my Diploma was coming to a close. I stuck around at TAFE to do the advanced diploma, with only a vague idea of what it was, for a mix of reasons. A combination of a six-month gap before I wanted to start uni and a love of TAFE, with a helpful nudge from the ever-supportive TAFE teachers, and a dear friend of mine who I really wanted to do the course with, and suddenly I’m enrolled.
One issue. That’s what the plan was, to begin with. By the end of the year, I’ll have one issue done. A solid piece of work with some really good writing in there to show in the future. That was the initial plan at least.
Six months later, and an ever-growing obsession with print mediums, and here we are, the fifth, and final, issue of the year laid in your hands. How the hell did that happen?!
In 2016, I think it was, I started to get really into taking photos. I was in year 8 at the time, and I remember goofing around one day when I was meant to be doing English work and taking photos of my friends. My friend Felicia mentioned this website, after class that day, Rookie Mag. I had never heard of it before, I wasn’t one for blogs really, the conjured up images of mums writing recipes on Blogger in my mind, but not Rookie.
For anyone who doesn’t know what Rookie was, it was an online magazine. It closed in 2018, but it’s still up as an archive, which I think everyone should read!
Felicia mentioned it one day, on what basis I’m not entirely sure, but suggested I submit something.
I never did end up submitting anything to them, I’m not sure now if that was a blessing or a curse, but everything about Rookie informed the way I consumed and made media.
So thanks Felicia, and shout out to Mrs Whatever your name was, for playing Candy Crush in class instead of teaching and inadvertently starting Spineless.
I’m not in year 8 anymore though. I’m not taking photos of my friends in English class, cause, well, I don’t do English class anymore. Instead, I’m 18, stressing over talks of uni next year, and moving states, and having to find a way to bring this thing I love so much to a brand new audience.
Spineless isn’t going anywhere, that much I’m sure of, but it will look different in the new year. I’m not sure how exactly it will look different, but it undoubtedly will.
I won’t dwell on the anxieties that the thought of all of this brings up, I’ll save that for next year. Instead, I want to appreciate everything we’ve done this year.
And yes, I say we. As much as this is a labour of love on our part, and everyone else who works with me behind the scenes. We really can’t do it without you. We have an audience now. An audience that is passionate, kind and very supportive. I receive emails from people who like what we do, I send copies to friends of friends who wanted one just cause they heard about it, I have more content contributed than is possible to publish, and for all of that, I am so thankful.
Above all though, I want to thank everyone who’s contributed. I am beyond grateful to you all. The people I have met through making this, are some of the most talented, creative people making things today, and it has been an honour to be able to show other people this.
To the artists, the writers, the photographers, the poets, and everyone else who makes stuff for our silly little zine, thank you!
It has been such a joy to watch people grow and improve over the past semester. To watch people be more sure of themselves and of their talents, and to grow into their voice. It makes me extremely proud to be able to say that these people are my classmates and my friends, and I hope you continue to make things in the future, however that may be.
I think my highest gratitude, however, is reserved for the teaching staff of TAFE NSW, for Natalie and Verity in particular. My friends joke all the time, that I’m a shill for TAFE. My first statement to everyone who says they don’t know what to study is to try TAFE, but I have my reasons.
TAFE has given me opportunities I wouldn’t have otherwise had. A chance to go to uni, a chance to make this Zine, a chance to meet people, who I can now say are some of my closest friends, and a chance to grow as a person.
Without the support of Natalie, Verity, Spineless wouldn’t be possible, thank you!
With that, the mushy shit’s done! I’ll save the updates for next year when I know more certainly what we’re doing in the future. Until then though, I really am so thankful.
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading Spineless this past year, it’s been an honour to have you stop by.
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